Mini-brella

ABSTRACT

A device readily convertible between a beach bag and a sunshading canopy for a bather, the device comprising a handgriptype luggage which when opened assumes a boxlike configuration into which a person may insert his head while resting on a beach, the device including a window of sun ray filtering material and containing an inflatable pillow on which the person may rest his head.

(lasamassimn [45] all. 2, 197

[54] MINI-BELLA 2,503,746 4/1950 Klehr ..190/41 2 X [72] Inventor: Carole Casamassima 109 Haddon 3,275,106 9/1966 Rush ..190/1 Avenue 08108 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] led: 556,428 2/1957 Italy ..1so/2s R [21] App1.No.: 44,765

Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair 52 us. on. ..1s0/2a R, 2/177, 2/196, Emmmehstephe" Garbe 190/1, 190/42 [51] in. CI ..A45c 3/00 [571 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..190/42, 41 R, 1; 150/28 R, A device readily convertible between a beach bag and a sum ISO/1.7; 5/35, 344, 337; 2/196, 177, 202 shading canopy for a bather, the device comprising a handgriptype luggage which when opened assumes a boxlike [56] References Cited configuration into which a person may insert his head while UNITED STATES PATENTS resting on a beach, the device including a winc iow of sun ay filtering material and contammg an inflatable pillow on WhlCh 1,864,648 6/1932 Haines ..5/337 h person may rest his head. 2,979,170 4/1961 Lotz ..190/42 3,477,066 11/1969 Peham ..2/1 77 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MllNl-BRELLA This invention relates generally to beach equipment such as may be used by bathers.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a device which is readily convertible to form either a beach bag for transporting a bathing suit and other equipment to a beach or a sun protective canopy for a persons head while resting on the beach.

Another object is to provide a mini-brella which can be quickly and easily converted from one use to the other.

Yet another object is to provide a mini-brella which is suitable for use by all persons, men, women or children.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a minibrella which will protect a persons face and eyes while lying down on a beach from blowing or kicked up sand.

Yet a further object is to provide a mini-brella that is suitable for use as a sun-shading canopy for a person whether reclining or sitting up at a beach.

Other objects are to provide a mini-brella which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects'will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in position for use as a sun-shading canopy.

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof showing the device in use as a sun-shading canopy for a reclined bather.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device in use as a beach bag.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a mini-brella according to the present invention wherein there is assembly comprised of a bottom wall 11, opposite, collapsibly foldable end walls 14 so to form a central compartment 15. One side wall 13 has a central window 16 fitted with a tinted stiff pane 17 made preferably of plastic material; the tinted pane filtering out harmfully buming sun rays from passing therethrough.

The opposite side edges 18 are provided with interconnecting snap fastener elements 19 and 20 so to selectively close the opening 21 to the compartment by holding the edges 18 together; one of the fastener elements being secured on a tongue 22. A rectangular shaped hand loop handle 23 is secured to each side wall; the handle being extendable for grasping use when the device is used as a beach bag as shown in FIG. 3, or retractable into a pocket 24 of the side wall when the device is used as a sun-shading canopy as shown in FIG. 1.

The pocket is formed between a pair of panels comprising the side walls, the pocket having a pair of rivets 25 passing transversely through the pocket so to prevent the handle 23 from disengaging from the body of the assembly when pulled outwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

An inflatable pillow 26 may be loosely contained in the compartment 15; the pillow having an air valve 27 such as is used on conventional inflatable plastic beach balls and the like so that it can be easily inflated for use or deflated when the assembly is used as a beach bag.

In operative use, the invention can serve as a beach bag in which bathing equipment such as a bathing suit, towel, purse, lunch food, magazines and radio may be transported to the beach. When the sun gets too hot, the person reclining on the beach can set up the device as shown in FIG. 1, and insert his head therein as shown in FIG. 2, thus protecting the head, eyes and face against burning sun rays. Alternately, the pillow can be used outside when the sun rays diminish their intensity. Alternately the unit can be used without the pillow if a person sits up on the beach and reads through the window.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is to be understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as in defined by the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. A combined beach bag and sun shade canopy comprising a bottom wall, opposing side walls having top edges and bottom edges pivotally connected to opposite sides of the bottom wall and opposing collapsable end walls attached to the side walls and opposite ends of the bottom wall disposed generally in a transverse position to the side walls when said side walls are perpendicular to the bottom wall when the bag is in the fully opened position, said side walls being movable pivotally about the bottom wall to a closed position wherein said side walls being in abutment along the top edges forming a triangular configuration for use as a carrying bag, in further combination with means for carrying and securing the bag in the closed position, said means being mounted on the top edges of the side walls, in further combination with a tinted transparent panel provided in one of the side walls and an inflatable pillow disposed in the bag on the side wall opposite the panel.

2. A bag as in claim 1, wherein said means comprise a handle mounted in the top edges of said side walls and recessable in pockets formed in said edges, said handle being movable to an external position for carrying the bag when closed, in further combination with a closure tongue mounted over said top edges provided with snap fasteners and centered to pass through said handle. 

1. A combined beach bag and sun shade canopy comprising a bottom wall, opposing side walls having top edges and bottom edges pivotally connected to opposite sides of the bottom wall and opposing collapsable end walls attached to the side walls and opposite ends of the bottom wall disposed generally in a transverse position to the side walls when said side walls are perpendicular to the bottom wall when the bag is in the fully opened position, said side walls being movable pivotally about the bottom wall to a closed position wherein said side walls being in abutment along the top edges forming a triangular configuration for use as a carrying bag, in further combination with means for carrying and securing the bag in the closed position, said means being mounted on the top edges of the side walls, in further combination with a tinted transparent panel provided in one of the side walls and an inflatable pillow disposed in the bag on the side wall opposite the panel.
 2. A bag as in claim 1, wherein said means comprise a handle mounted in the top edges of said side walls and recessable in pockets formed in said edges, said handle being movable to an external position for carrying the bag when closed, in further combination with a closure tongue mounted over said top edges provided with snap fasteners and centered to pass through said handle. 